After half an hourglass.
Just as Black Claw of the Mochiu Clan said, since most of the energy circulation system of the three layers had been destroyed, the energy to repair Blackbeard was exhausted, and the statue guardians could not be repaired. Finally, they were completely destroyed one by one by the combined efforts of everyone.
Panting heavily.
The scholars took out energy crystals and slowly began to recover.
"Hey, is there any danger inside?"
Kui took out a bearskin coat, draped it over his shoulders, crossed his arms, and grinned menacingly at the elder of the Mochiu Clan.
What was an intense battle for others was merely a warm-up for his abundant energy; he seemed somewhat unsatisfied.
Black Claw leaned on his scepter, his face grave.
"There's something even more dangerous inside, but we've found a way to deal with it."
"What is it?"
It was Zi Yan who spoke up and asked the question.
Although everyone cooperated with these Mochiu, it was merely a matter of acting according to circumstances; almost no one truly trusted these hairy creatures.
"This... I can't really say what it is either. I only know that it never leaves the inside. Once there is light, it becomes extremely powerful, but as long as the light is off, it can't do anything in the dark."
Upon hearing this, everyone looked surprised and exchanged glances.
Clearly, none of them can deduce what this thing actually is.
Black Claw smiled slightly.
"Please rest assured, everyone. We, the Mochiu Clan, will handle the task of shutting down the energy core. Some of the younger members of our clan are already quite adept at adapting to the darkness."
However, as explorers from various principalities, they harbored many suspicions among themselves, let alone towards these alien creatures.
What if this isn't just a simple energy hub as the other party claimed, but contains some dangerous device unknown to others? Wouldn't that be dangerous?
Zi Yan raised an eyebrow and looked at Ice Roar Bai Qi beside her.
It's difficult to tell Bai Qi's gender from his appearance alone.
Her skin was fair and delicate, and her figure was rather slender. She held an ice crystal feather fan and gently fanned herself. Her performance in the previous battle was only mediocre among the crowd.
"Since it's a collaboration, how could we explorers back down because of danger? How about this, we'll proceed on a voluntary basis, exploring together with the Mochiu Clan. Let's see who's willing."
Black Claw didn't say much, only giving instructions to those willing to explore inside, emphasizing several precautions, including that they absolutely must not turn on the lights.
A short while later.
Using the X Mask, Reilo hunted down the Marks and marked a visible X-ray mark on the cautiously exploring Mochiu ahead.
[ The All-Analysis Eye ] Miya didn't come in with them.
When everyone saw that Reilo was willing to go inside and explore, they showed some surprise, but didn't say much.
In the end, only the Destroyer Kui, Ice Roar Bai Qi, [ Weaver of Fate ] Peishimisi, codenamed X Reilo, a man and a woman from the Guyue Family codenamed [Thunder] and [Run Feng], and a mysterious man wearing a bronze mask codenamed [Spellcaster], chose to follow these Mochiu into the administrative hall.
"A sorcerer?"
Reilo couldn't help but recall his brief encounter with a girl named Mi Li in the Moon's Mark spatial node. More than two hundred years ago, her family had produced a great hypnotist, who seemed to also be called a spellcaster. He possessed the ability to control dreams and induce sleepwalking, making the subject forever unable to distinguish between reality and dreams.
"Uh, is it just a coincidence, or do I know this sorcerer?"
The hall was completely silent.
The ground was covered in dust, telling a story of a bygone era.
Amidst the chaotic ruins, it's easy to discern the once-prosperous civilization that once existed here.
The Magic Eye Pyramid two levels: the first level is an underground waste disposal and energy recycling center, and the second level is the living area for the Gulan Fairies.
The third level consists of various public areas, located in the very center of the pyramid.
This administrative hall is the core area of the pyramid and is indeed very likely an energy hub, complementing the control center on the fifth floor.
The light in the building's passageway grew dimmer.
The light seemed to be blocked by some force, and all that could be heard were low breathing and footsteps.
"The energy hub is on the second underground level. Remember, no matter what happens, as long as the lights are off, that thing will be unable to function. This is a secret that our people discovered after many explorations and attempts."
The leader of the Mochiu exploration team repeatedly gave instructions.
Reilo was relatively better off, with the X-ray marks ahead serving as his primary guide. Kui seemed to be able to locate sounds using his keen senses. The remaining group, however, were less comfortable in the darkness and stumbled along the way. But as elite scholars from the same cohort, they were not intimidated.
"The passage ahead is the underground level, everyone be careful."
While the upstairs space still had some dim light, allowing one to see the terrain, this passage leading underground was completely dark.
Everyone looked over.
The dark passage possessed a profound depth that seemed to devour everyone's souls, like a bottomless dark vortex in the deep sea.
call...
A strange, cool breeze blew out from the passageway.
The person walking in front couldn't help but get goosebumps.
As Reilo and the others gradually disappeared into the dark passage, apart from Reilo and Kui, the others could only rely on their faint energy connection to walk through the pitch-black darkness.
"Hehehehehehe..."
In the darkness.
Suddenly, a strange, hoarse laugh rang out, utterly jarring in the eerie and oppressive atmosphere.
Reilo could clearly feel that almost everyone in the Mochiu and the explorers in front of him trembled involuntarily.
"Ignore these distractions. Without light, that thing can't function at all."
That being said, its trembling voice betrayed it.
"Play with me, hehehehe."
Two meters away from Reilo, a child's innocent voice came, full of childlike longing.
But the final chuckles were rather eerie, as if a dying old man had suddenly taken over the laughter halfway through.
"Huh? It can speak human language, which means it has come into contact with humans, or something that directly influences their thoughts and mental processes?"
Reilo's calm voice echoed in the darkness.
Glug.
Someone swallowed hard, but the bald-headed Kui, who was standing on the far side of the wall, smiled.
"Hahaha, who cares what it is!"
"I think it's a curse, a curse on this second underground level."
Ice Roar Bai Qi continued.
Reilo said, "It's also possible that they evolved into strange life forms influenced by some peculiar rules of this space. Otherwise, why would they have a connection between light and darkness?"
"You're from the Grand Natural Sciences Academy? Only those Profound Meaning Scholar would delve into the survival patterns of all sorts of bizarre life forms."
Reilo felt a chill run down his spine but didn't reply.
Weaver Peshmit spoke in a stiff voice.
Even in the darkness, Reilo could still seem to see his expressionless poker face.
"In this era, major academies have long abandoned the outdated idea of independent research. Many students at the Willand Academy have chosen to study the Natural Law, the <Evolution's Profound Meaning>, and the secrets of the human body. There are fewer and fewer people specializing in spiritual and mental studies. Does the Xilan Natural Sciences Academy not have any scholars researching the <Evolution's Profound Meaning>?"
"Hmm, that makes some sense."
After this little incident, the tense and oppressive atmosphere that permeated the group was greatly reduced.
"Ah! Help me!!! Waaaaaah..."
The sound of crying came from behind, accompanied by the crunching and munching sounds, causing everyone to raise an eyebrow.
"Hehehe, there should only be two women in our team, right?"
Bald Kui turned around and asked, "Hey, are you all still here?"
Runfeng from the Guyue Family said in a low voice, "Your voice sounds very young, which reminds me of my own youth. I really miss those days."
Ice Roar Bai Qi coldly said, "I would rather die than utter such a lowly sound."
Kui chuckled rudely, "So, you're not one of us anymore? Hehehehe, actually, if you listen carefully, the crunching of teeth chewing bones, the realistic screech of an empty bucket, the pitiful cries of the weak are quite pleasant to hear."
"Then let her keep screaming here."